Metropolitan.

who Avas prevented attending by the death of Lady Charlotte Chefc-Avynd ) , supported by nearly 300 brethren , amongst whom Ave observed Bros . Hervey , Potter , Udall , Wilson , and Savage , P . G . D . 's ; Poeock , Evans , ancl Patten , P . G . S . B . 's ; Woods , G . D . C ; Farnfield , Assist . G . Sec ; Head , Creaton , Young , and Levinson , P . G . Stds . ; Meymott , Prov . G . W . Surrey ; Nelson , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorkshire ; C . IsaacsProv . G . SecKent ; MattheAvsProv . G . D . C .

, , , Essex ; Adlard , P . Prov . G . D . C Essex , & c . Lodge , Avhich Avas summoned for the Temple for seven o ' clock , Avas not opened until close upon eight , a delay Avhich materially damped the proceedings at the latter period of the evening , many brethren having to hasten aAvay in order to be in time for railway trains .

Lodge having been opened , the following sections of the second lecture ivere worked : —Second , by Bro . C A . Martin , W . M ., No . 7 ; third , Bro . F . Dollman , 188 ; fourth , Bro . T . Fenn , S . W ., 188 ; fifth , Bro . H . Empson , P . M ., 275 . The third section of the third lecture was also worked by Bro . F . Mead , 275 . The whole of the sections ivere admirably Avorked , the questions being put by Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , P . G . D ., Avith his Avell-knoAvn tact .

Votes of thanks Avere given to the W . M ., Bro . Wilson , and the other brethren AVIIO had assisted in Avorking the lectures , ancl about thirty members of the Order joined the loclge . Bro . S . B . WILSON proposed thafc a vote of thanks be seconded on the minutes , to Bro . R . Spencer for his handsome present , consisting of the nine working tools in a mahogany box , Avith the name of the lodge engraved thereon . This present Avas made iu recognition of the founder of the lodge , Bro . Peter Gilkes , by Bro .

S ., who Avas one of his folloAvers , though not one of his actual boys . Lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to a very elegant supper served in the large hall , Bro . Jennings , P . G . D . C , presiding . Upon tho removal of the cloth the W . M . gave the usual preliminary toast of this loclge , " The immortal memory of Peter Gilkes , " the founder of the Lodge , which Avas drunk in solemn silence . The W . M . saicl that the first regular toast Avas one ivhich ivas alivays drunk bFreemasons with peculiar interestand though

y , they kneiv that hy the principles of their order they Avere precluded from interfering in politics , yet he Avas aware thafc afc the present moment every man ' s mind AA'as directed upon events which coulcl not fail to ensure for her Majesty the utmost sympathy aucl devotion . ( Cheers . ) He gave them " The Queen and the Craft . " ( Applause . ) The W . JI . said that having shown their loyalty toAvards the soverei

gn of the realm there Avas no toast more acceptable to any assembled body of Masons than the one he was about to bring under their notice . There Avas no sovereign stood in a prouder position than the Grand Master of the Order , and no more loyal or loving body of subjects than the Freemasons' over Avhom he had presided for a period of seA'enteen years . ( Cheers . ) There AA'as no greater proof of the value of his government than the increase in their numbers and influence during the time he had been Grand Master . His lordship , during his long services to the Craffc , had , by the tact ancl

skill lie had displayed , enabled the Craft to overcome all difficulties , whilst he had conciliated the respect ancl affection of the brethren . He proposed to them "The Health of the M . W . Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland . " ( Cheers . ) The W . M . next gave " The Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey ancl Ripon , and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present , " AA'ho he felt satisfied hacl alivays endeavoured to do their dutto the Craft to the utmost o ' f their

y ability . The Earl de Grey and Ripon AA'as a young nobleman of great talent , who he felt sure Avould nofc only reflect honour on the Craft , but prove himself worthy of their highest respect . ( Cheers . ) Bro . HERVEY , P . G . D ., said that the duty had devolved upon him of acknoAvledging the toast just drunk . He did not think it would be necessary to thing regarding the DeputGrand Master

say any y , who , he was sure , was ivell appreciated by the brethren . As regarded the Grand Officers , he trusted they had clone their duty , and he ivas sure they AVOUICI ever continue so to support the interests of the Craft as to merit the approbation of the brethren . ( Cheers . ) He had HOAV to propose a toast AA'hich he Avas sure Avoulcl meet Avith their cordial reception . The W . M . of that evening hacl taken the chair at a very short notice , and they knew IIOAV Avell he presided

over them . They kneiv IIOAV long their R . W . brother had held grand office , and IIOAV highly his services had been appreciated . Ho was sure they owed Bro . Jennings a deep debt of gratitude , not only for the way in which he hacl fulfilled his duties—but for his great kindness in presiding over them that evening—ancl he trusted they would join him in drinking to the health ancl happiness of Bro . Jennings . ( Cheers . ) The AA ' . M . thanked the brethren for the kind manner in ivhich they had responded to the toast , though he coulcl not but express his regret thafc be hacl been called to preside over them that

evening , owing to the unavoidable absence of a distinguished young I nobleman , who he was sure , as deeply regretted that he was unable to have the pleasure of being present that evening , as he did , the event Avhich deprived him of that pleasure . When he ( Bro . J . ) Avas requested under the circumstances to take the chair , he objected to do so but upon beiug urged upon the point , he consented , feeling thafc it Avas his bounden duty to do any little he could to promote

the interests of the Craft . He had ahA'ays a strong feeling of the value of this lodge of improvement , and he looked upon its annual meetings Avith pleasure , as a neutral spot AA'here he could meet with a number of the brethren , ancl Avhere any differences of opinion Avhich existed in another sphere Avere laid aside , and they all had bufc the one aim of paying respect to those AA-IIO endeavoured to SIIOAV Avho could attain the highest proficiency in the ceremonies and lectures of the order . This lodge had existed for many years and

had produced very many excellent Avorkmen , but it had never attained a higher efficiency than at present , OAving mainly , he believed , to the exertions of his V . W . Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , whose name he should couple Avith the toast . He need only refer to the proceedings of that clay , to insure for the toast a hearty reception , and he would therefore give them " Success to the Emulation of Improvement and Health to Bro . Wilson . " ( Cheers ) .

Bro . WILSON P . G . D ., acknoAvledged the toast . He had laboured hard to promote the interests of the lodge , feeling that ifc Avas his duty to do so , and he had been fully rewarded by the success ivhich had attended his labours . He had deeply to thank those brethren Avho hacl so ably seconded his efforts , and as regarded the working of that evening , he was bound to state that it had far exceeded his expectations . He was pleased to be enabled to make this declaration , and so long as the Great Architect ot the Universe

blessed him with life ancl health he should feel himself bound to use his utmost exertions to promote the utility and best interests of the lodge . ( Cheers ) . The W . M . had HOAV a most gratifying duty to perform . There Avas in the lodge an officer AVIIO hacl for several years undertaken duties Avhich were most important , and at the same time most onerous , and to whom the brethren were deeply indebted . He knew of no officer in a lodge of greater importance than the Secretary ,,

and he need nofc say that fche brethren of this lodge had long felt that they had got the right man in the right place . ( Cheers . ) He believed that no secretary had ever performed his duties with greater care or attention , and in acknowledgment of his services for a period

of seven years , he hacl now to present him on behalf of the members of the lodge , a slight testimonial of their respect . In presenting the very handsome jeivel he held in his hand to Bro . Artiis , ho ivished he might be spared many years to ivear ifc Avith the proud consciousness that he hacl Avon AA'ith it the respect and esteem of the brethren . ( Cheers . ) The AV . M . then proceeded to present to Bro . Artiis a very elegant Secretaries' Locket Jewel manufactured by Bro . II . Spencerof goldthe emblem "Cross Pens" of gold in the

, , centre , on a blue enamelled ground , fastened Avith a tie , consisting of fourteen brilliants very chastely displayed , and bearing the following inscription i " Presented by the brethren of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement ( No . 311 ) , " to Bro . Luis Artiis , P . M ., in token of their esteem , and to mark the sense they entertain of the zeal ancl assiduity displayed by him Avhilst acting as Secretary to the loclge for a period of seven years . 29 th Novamber , 1861 . "

After a feiv further appropriate remarks , the W . M . concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Artiis . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . Aimrs briefly thanked the brethren for the very high compliment they had been pleased to pay him in the very handsome testimonial so kindly presented him through their excellent W . M . He could nofc feel too grateful for their kindness in thus so handsomely acknowledging the ivay in which he had discharged his

duties , ancl he trusted he might ever continue AA-orfchy of their esteem and regard . The WM . then gave "The Sister Lodges of Instruction , " trusting that some member of the Lodge of Stability would reply . No brother ansivering the challenge , the AV . M . saicl he Avould give them a toast Avhich would aAA * aken all their sympathies— " The Charities . " ( Applause . ) Bro . FAUN - FIELDAsst . G . Secand Secfor the Royal Benevolent

, , . Institution for Aged Masons and their AVidoAvs , being loudly called upon , saicl that ifc gave him great pleasure to acknowledge the toast , ancl in doing so he should , according to his usual custom , refer to them in their order of seniority . The Girls' School was the oldest of their charities , and had always been a favourite amongst the brethren . It had attained a high degree of prosperity , and though they had UOAV eighty girls on the foundation

, such were tbe claims Aipon it that the Committee were Avere UOAV considering IIOAV they could increase the accommodation . The Boys' School Avas of more recent establishment , and it AA'as only lately that they had obtained a schoolhouse of their oivn . The Boys' School was therefore peculiarly wanting in support , ancl he had no doubt , from recent alterations effected in the management